FCC chairman reveals plan to free military-owned spectrum

Proposal frees spectrum in the 5GHz band, aiding Wi-Fi congestion

At the Consumer Electronics Show, The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) chairman, Julius Genachowski has announced a proposal before the commission to open up a "substantial" quantity of wireless spectrum for Wi-Fi, which will in theory allow for increased speed on wireless devices. The spectrum to be freed currently belongs to the Federal agencies such as the Department of Defense, and is mostly unused at present.

The proposal will open up 195MHz of new spectrum in the 5GHz band. Wi-Fi broadcasts in the 5GHz band are shorter ranged, but subject to less interference. Freeing bandwidth in this region of the spectrum will aid congestion in dense Wi-Fi environments, such as apartment buildings or conventions, such as the journalist areas found in shows like the Consumer Electronics Show or similar expositions.

"It's going to help spur entire new industries," said Genachowski. "By leaning into these opportunities, we increase the chance that the US is the country where new innovation is developed, and the market is developed." A report from the President's Council of Advisors suggested the spectrum reallocation in the summer of 2012.

By Electronista Staff

Source: http://electronista.feedsportal.com/c/34342/f/626172/s/275d9046/l/0L0Selectronista0N0Carticles0C130C0A10C0A90Cproposal0Bfrees0Bspectrum0Bin0Bthe0B5ghz0Bband0Baiding0Bwi0Bfi0Bcongestion0C/story01.htm

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